However, the ECB wanted assurances that
reports claiming he had sent texts
criticising captain Andrew Strauss and team director Andy Flower to South Africa pair Dale Steyn and AB de Villiers were untrue.

The announcement of the squad for the third Test, which England must win to avoid being replaced by South Africa at the top of the Test rankings, was delayed by five hours and, when it came, Pietersen's was left out at the expense of Yorkshire's Jonny Bairstow.

Morris added: "In the best interest of the team, he will miss the Lord's Test.

"During the past week we have held several discussions with Kevin Pietersen and his advisors.

Jonathan AgnewBBC cricket correspondent

"This shows how disenfranchised Pietersen is within the set-up and how aggrieved the ECB is over his comments about team spirit and even more so about reports he sent text messages to South Africa players during the Headingley Test."

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